Concrete step



April 29, 1930.

J. GENTILE CONCRETE STE? Filed Oct. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. GENTILE CONCRETE STEP A ril 29, 1930.

Filed Oct. 1, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE EI F'lE L gww ntoc a M a 2146M, wwzw Patented Apr. 29, 1930 UNH'ED FFEQE PAFE J'OHN-GENTILE, OF CLEVEfiAND, OHIO CONCRETE STEP Application filed. October 1, 1928. Serial No. 309,409.

a monolithic stair step comprising an mtegral tread and riser with an interlocking arrangement which permits the replacement of any member, in an expeditious manner, without requiring the entire stairway to be dismantled. A fur er object of my invention is to make a constr ii etion by means of which the stairway may e assembled without the need for cement at the joints, and wherein the tread portions will be securely held in place against either forward or lateral movement, merely by virtue of the interlocking connection of the various parts.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of part of a stairway embodying my invention; Fig. 2 shows 'a vertical section taken transversely through one of the tread 33 and riser units; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 33 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective View looking at the bottom of one 'ofthe units and Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken through the step ona plane indicated 53 by the line 55 in Fig. 3.

The step embodying my invention comprises a tread 10 and a riser 11=composed of concrete and formed in a single piece. Suitable reinforcement such asmetal lath maybe used in the construction of the step, al-

though such reinforcementis not shown in the drawings. The end walls which support the steps are indicated at 12 in Fig. 1, comprisin concrete blocks which are placed on edge, a though in some instances, a monolithic wall construction may be employed. A riser 13 extends between the walls and beneath the midportion of each tread, and may be securely fastened in place with cement to the walls.

To hold the step units in place, I provide an interlocking connection between each tread and the riser disposeddirectly therebeneath, and also between each tread and the adjacent portion of each end wall. This interlocking connection, in the preferred form, comprises a rib 20 which extends lengthwise of eachstep and along the bottom of the tread, and two ribs 21 which lead from the rib 20 in a direct1on transversely of the steps. In the form said rib, whereby wedging action of the rib shown, the ribs 21 lead from the rib 20 at points spaced inwardly from the ends of the rib 20. Each riser has a groove 22 to receive the rib 20, and each end wall has a groove 23 to receive one of the ribs 21 It will be observed from an inspection of the drawings that the bottom edge of each rib rests in the bottdm of the associated groove and that there is a clearance space provided between the side walls and the side of each associated groove. It will further be observed that the top of eacli grooveis spaced from the bottom surface of the tread, thus enabling the weight of the tread to be carried on the rib, and facilitating the leveling of a step by enabling part of the rib to be smoothed down to the desired degree. The clearance space between the ribs and grooves is suflicient to permit any one tread unit to be lifted out of place, and re laced without requiring the entire step to e dismantled. To accomplish this, it is only necessary to tilt the tread immediately above that tobe removed until the rib clears the groove or is at least near the top thereof. It is then so held until another. unit is moved into place. During the assembly, each u nitfcan be rocked into place and then can be quickl leveled, either by placing a small amount 0 cement under one part of the groove, or bycutting down a part of the rib until the desired fit is obtained.

.1 claim:

1. A monolithic concrete stair step comprising a tread and an integral riser extending upwardly from the tread, the tread having a rib extending along the bottom surface thereof, and the riser having a groove, said groove being wider and of less depth than.

against the walls of said groove is eliminated and the weight on each tread is directed ver-' tically onto the adjacent riser. I

'2. A stoop including concrete steps, each. having a tread member and a riser member, comprising a monolithic construction, there being a rib and groove interlocking connection between each tread and the riser disposed therebeneath, said rib being of greater depth than said groove, whereby ease of leveling said step with adjacent steps is obtained.

3. A monolithic concrete stair step comprising a tread and an integral riser extending upwardly therefrom and side supporting walls, said tread having a rib extending longitudinally and'along the bottom thereof, and having other ribs extending transversely and along the bottom thereof, the transversely extending ribs being arranged to extend from the longitudinal rib near eachend thereof, complementary grooves on said riser and side walls, whereby each of said tread and riser elements is interlocked with adjacent tread and riser elements and each-of said elements is interlocked transversely with said side walls.

4. A flight of steps, comprising a plurality of similar monolithic elements, supporting walls for said elements, each element having a tread and riser, a rib on said tread, complementary grooves in said riser and side walls, said grooves being wider than said ribs and of less depth than said ribs, whereby the bottom of said ribs rests on the bottom of said grooves and wedging action of the tread against thewalls of said grooves is elimmated.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

' JOHN GENTILE. 

